Who Was Leonardo da Vinci 达·芬奇 Chapter 8 Losses
时间：2019-02-13 作者：英语课 分类：名人认知系列 Who Was
In 1504, Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero, died. He was seventy-eight years old. There was no will, and Leonardo ended up receiving nothing. All the money went to Ser Piero’s other children.
Then, in 1507, Leonardo’s uncle Francesco died. He had been the only relative to show him any affection. Francesco did have a will. Everything was left to Leonardo. Francesco wanted Leonardo to have all his land and money. But Leonardo’s half brothers and sisters were furious 1. They went to court. What Leonardo ended up getting was the use of Francesco’s land and money. After Leonardo died, it would all go to his relatives.
Leonardo was almost sixty. He had health problems. He had no home and not all that much to show for his many years of work. But at a time when he needed a patron 2, one appeared. The man appreciated Leonardo for the genius he was. He provided him with a lovely home and garden. He let Leonardo bring along Salai and his other good friend, Francesco Melzi. All the man asked of Leonardo was his company.
The man also happened to be a king.
King Francis I of France had a grand house in Amboise. That’s in the northern part of France. Leonardo was given a beautiful brick-and-limestone house to live in. He brought along his book collection, his notebooks, and three of his paintings. One of them was the Mona Lisa.
A tunnel connected the two houses. Each day he was in Amboise, the king would come to visit and talk. He would pick a subject and ask Leonardo his opinions. The king evidently felt it was an honor simply to be in Leonardo’s presence.
And so Leonardo finished out his life in France. On May 2, 1519, he died. One story says that he died in the king’s arms. Another says that his last words were about his horse statue. If only he had been able to complete it.
He was buried in a chapel 3 in Amboise. It may not be a happy ending. But it isn’t a sad one, either.
- I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
- His wife was furious with him.他妻子对他大发雷霆。
- The student wants to find a wealthy patron in America.那学生想在美国找一个富有的赞助人。
- I hope that you will become our patron.我希望你将成为我们的靠山。